There is a small fee for samples shipped in the continental U.S. This can range from $10-$75.
Products shipped outside the continental U.S. can be subject to certain restrictions. Freight charges may range from $75-$300.

Black Oxide FAQ's

1) What is Black Oxide?
Black Oxide is a blend of caustic, oxidizers, additives that is used to black oxide ferrous metals. There are two types of metal blackening: hot black oxide and room temperature blackening.

Hot black oxide is a conventional hot (285º F) process which produces a true black oxide iron magnetite, Fe3O4, finish. It is a premium grade salt mixture which will blacken a wider range of steel alloys than any other process on the market.

Room temperature blackening is the preferred metal blackening process for safe and convenient in-house blackening. It is important to note this is not a true black oxide process; however, it may be referred to as room temperature black oxide. It produces a super deep blackness and corrosion resistance equal to hot oxide blackeners. It is an excellent non-bleed out black finish for powdered metal and cast iron. Room temperature blackening process is an autocatalytic reaction of a black selenium-copper compound that deposits on ferrous parts through an immersion process.

2) What Makes EPI’s Black Oxide and Metal blackening processes better?
EPi’s Insta-Blak process does not produce a smutty rub off like other room temperature products. Ultra-Blak is a premium grade black oxide. They are easy-to-use with a wide window of operation.

3) What are the advantages of Black Oxide and Metal Blackening?

Ultra-Blak Advantages:

Produces true black oxide finish Fe3O4 magnetite finish

Abrasion resistance

Corrosion protection

Meets military spec MIL-DTL-13924D and AMS 2485H

Blackens faster than other hot black oxides

Less sludge generation than other hot black oxides, which means lower gas bill

5) Who uses Black Oxide?
Large companies such as lock manufactures or auto manufacturers use black oxide on a large scale basis to blacken metal parts. Black Oxide can also be used by the home hobbyist who would prefer to blacken just a few items.

Below are some of the major industries that utilize Black Oxide coating:

Ammunition Manufacturers

Appliance Industry

Architectural Industry

Auto Industry

Camping and Hunting

Collars/Coupling Industry

Fastener Industry

Hardware Industry

Metal Stampers

Military Components

Power Hand Tool Manufacturer

Recreational Vehicle Industry

Tool & Die Industry

Tube Cutters/Fabricators

6) How is Black Oxide Applied?

Hot Black Oxide is applied through a seven step process:

Clean and Degrease Metal Parts

Rinse Metal Parts

Optional Acid Salt

Rinse Metal Parts

Blacken Parts in boiling Solution – approximately 285º F

Rinse metal parts

Seal and Finish

Mid Temperature Metal Blackening is applied through a five step process:

Clean and Degrease Metal Parts

Rinse Metal Parts

Hydrochloric Acid or Acid Salt

Rinse Metal Parts

Blacken Metal Parts 15-45 minutes at 220-240º F

Rinse Metal Parts

Seal and Finish

Room Temperature Metal Blackening is applied through a five step process:

Clean and Degrease Metal Parts

Rinse Metal Parts

Blacken Metal Parts 1-5 minutes at 65-85º F

Rinse Metal Parts

Seal and Finish

* Some steels require an additional prep and rinse adding two more steps *

8) What is the difference between hot black oxide and room temperature metal blackening?
Hot black oxide takes 15 – 30 minutes to blacken; there is a 2-4 hour wait to heat mixture. Parts are blackened between 272º F – 285º F. There is a seven step process required to blacken parts. Room temperature blackening takes approximately two minutes to blacken. There is no wait period for mixture to heat because parts can be blackened at room temperature. There is a five step process required to blacken parts.